William V of Montferrat

William V of Montferrat or William the Old was an Italian nobleman who took part in the Third Crusade with the Knights Templar. He fought in the Siege of Acre with Richard I of England, but died soon after.

Biography
William of Montferrat was born in Montferrat in northern Italy, a Marquesate that was led by his father, William IV. William was born a nephew of Pope Callixtus II, the step-brother of Louis VII of France through his half-sister Adelasia of Moriana, and was the half-brother of Amadeus III of Savoy. He became Marquess upon his father's death in 1136, and married Judith of Babenburg, who was daughter to Leopold III of Austria. William's children would include King Conrad of Jerusalem.

He participated in the Third Crusade and was a part of Richard I of England's army, although the two were alienated following William's execution of Richard's 3,000 Saracen prisoners whom he intended to ransom as a message to enemies of the Knights Templar, whom he was affiliated with. He was sent as regent of Acre while Richard continued onwards, and in a fit of rage, began disciplining his men, and retreated to the citadel. There, he was leaped at by an assassin and stabbed in the back of the head.